Classic & Vintage - New(ish) Components on old(ish) steel?

I would really like to strip down my Raleigh R500 and build up a decent lugged steel frame with the components. Can I do it without having to buy a million little bits and pieces that add up? And, what frame should I be looking out for?

The bike I have now is a mix of Tiagra (9spd) and Sora stuff. And everything is quite rideable if not too pretty anymore. The problems I have with it are 1. It's incredibly ugly with its comically oversized aluminum tubes and ugly ugly welds. 2. It has zero clearance for fenders and no eyelets even if I put on 700x20s. 3. I'm not a fan of that aluminum feel.

Did I mention how ugly it is?

I have an '85 Traveler that I converted to an SS around town bike. I love the look and feel, but I'd like something a little lighter (but that's not too much of a concern) and a little zippier for the roadie.

So the questions are:
1. Any frame recommnndations that will be fairly easy to set up and not break the bank? I've sort of been thinking about an 80s Japanese bike (Panasonic, Miyata) or Schwinn in the Tempo/LeTour range.

2. Should I just keep cruising Craig's and ebay or is there somewhere else for a decent used frameset?

3. I expect I might have to get long reach brakes, cold set the frame to 130, and maybe get a new clamp for the front derailer (can I do that?). Is there anything else that I'm not thinking of that I should be on the lookout for or that will cost me more money? Seatpost maybe?

Thanks!!!

Should be a piece of cake. Things that could cost you are bottom brackets, quill vs threadless stems, seatpost that is a different size etc. Make sure the steel frame you get has cable guides though you can always get the clips.

A newer steel frame should give you the least amount of trouble with a retro fit.

fortunately it is 1" threaded, so the stem and headset should be useable. Am i right in thinking that the bb should be fine for any English threaded bike?

fortunately it is 1" threaded, so the stem and headset should be useable. Am i right in thinking that the bb should be fine for any English threaded bike?

You are right about the BB.

Go find a late 80's through mid 90's frame. You should be able to find one cheap, and the newer it is the less hassle you'll have with spreading the dropouts.

I picked up a 1980 + or - a year Raleigh Super Grand Prix for $13 at a thrift store. I had a set of 700c wheels with 105 hubs so the rear wheel only needs a few mm of spread so no big deal to put the wheel on even without spreading the rear triangle. I put DA-COMPE side pull calipers and levers on the original handlebar and retained the original Sun Tour Bar end shifters. I had to replace the rear derailleur, as the original could not shift more than 5 cogs. I used a cheap clamp on Shimano SIS 7 from a big box retailer bike but considering friction shifting will be used it works just fine. I am retaining the original 52/42 crank with its integrated chain guard, as it's so cool. I am going to put clips on those old pedals just to keep it old school and being able to use walking shoes and regular paints makes this a nice café bike. That old frame rides really nice and using the mix of old and new keeps the cost low. About the only thing I am going to spend money on is new bar tape. I already had the other parts. Come springtime I am going to paint it.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/Hpim0217.jpg

I picked up a 1980 + or - a year Raleigh Super Grand Prix for $13 at a thrift store. I had a set of 700c wheels with 105 hubs so the rear wheel only needs a few mm of spread so no big deal to put the wheel on even without spreading the rear triangle. I put DA-COMPE side pull calipers and levers on the original handlebar and retained the original Sun Tour Bar end shifters. I had to replace the rear derailleur, as the original could not shift more than 5 cogs. I used a cheap clamp on Shimano SIS 7 from a big box retailer bike but considering friction shifting will be used it works just fine. I am retaining the original 52/42 crank with its integrated chain guard, as it's so cool. I am going to put clips on those old pedals just to keep it old school and being able to use walking shoes and regular paints makes this a nice café bike. That old frame rides really nice and using the mix of old and new keeps the cost low. About the only thing I am going to spend money on is new bar tape. I already had the other parts. Come springtime I am going to paint it.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/Hpim0217.jpg

Sounds good...Austin thrift stores never seem to have anything good and when they do it's ridiculously overpriced. The Salvation Army up the street wanted $200 for an old Rockhopper in pretty crap condition.

There's a abandoned and 1/2 stripped Bridgestone on a bike rack at my school that I really want to liberate and build up (it's u-locked). An email to transportation services told me they would cut it off, but no I couldn't have it. I didn't tell them where it was of course, so I'm thinking about putting a bright yellow note on it to see if the owner is around and wants to sell it to me. I sure hope so.